Comparatively few New Zealanders have visited the National Park at Tongariro, and still fewer realise its extent and holiday possibilities. Besides the three great mountain tops, Ngaruahoe, Ruapehu and Tongariro, dedicated to the Nation by the Ngati-Tuwharetoa chief, Te Heuheu Tukino, the Park has been considerably enlarged from time to time by purchases of blocks until it now covers the huge area of 149,470 acres. These additions have been secured for the people by the foresight and enterprise of the Tongariro National Park Board.

But the Park has greater interests than that of mere extent. It has rivers and lakes of exceptional beauty, a delightful climate, a distinctive flora that makes it the delight of the botanist, ideal picnicking and camping localities, splendid fishing, thermal activity on a scale of awe-inspiring magnificence, some of the most beautiful walks in New Zealand, and areas of perpetual snow that lend constant opportunity for alpine sports and pastimes.

The enterprise of the Tongariro Tourist Company in proceeding with the provision of modern hotel facilities at a choice position in the park is sure to be rewarded by a large measure of patronage. In this the Railways will share, for the tourist approach to the Whakapapa Huts, where the large hostel, to be known as “The Chateau,” is in course of erection, is from National Park station to which the company is already running buses as required for the conveyance of guests.

Long regarded as an out-of-the-way, rough-and - ready camping ground, Whakapapa is already a place where modern comforts are abundantly available. A special building has been erected as a bath house, with shower and plunge baths and a plentiful supply of hot water.